Grant: Operating Grant

Microglia are the main resident immune components of the complex cellular structure of the brain. These cells react quickly to pathogens and injuries, they accumulate in degenerating regions and produce a wide variety of inflammatory molecules. Together these phenomena have generated actively debated concepts regarding their exact roles and whether they have beneficial or detrimental effects. These obviously depend on the models, context and origin of microglia. Others and we have contributed to unravel numerous neuroprotective roles of microglia, although they may create an environment that is highly toxic to brain elements when they do not receive appropriate inhibitory cues. One very interesting potential therapeutic avenue is to activate these cells to better clear pathogens, cell debris and toxic substances that are produced in acute injuries and chronic diseases. Such a natural immunotherapy by microglia would have the advantage to respond quickly, efficiently and more specifically than conventional approaches. The essential objective of this grant renewal is to use new drugs to regulate the innate immune response in the brain toward neuroprotective properties. This work should help us developing more innovative therapeutic strategies to help repairing the injured brain and ultimately find cures for brain diseases, which are desperately needed.